Frogs and Faries and Laundry - another day in London

I sound like a frog...it's true. I've been sick for the past few weeks. And of course, as an American procrastinator, I wait until I get sick to try to register with the doctor. It's really great having National Insurance - the NHS plan. But oddly enough, I've found that most of the elderly here are really REALLY old. There are so many people here that have different types of arthritis and hunched backs - I can't help but think it's because of you have to literally carry everything you'll need for the rest of the day with you. This includes any groceries or other items you'll purchase along the way. Nonetheless, I've been sitting in my closet room - doing laundry, sleeping, but mainly Skyping with Caio.

Another thing I've noticed about "londoners" is their habitual need for a "fag." Every where I go, accented business men and women are pulling out their skinny white cigs for a few puffs before getting onto the Tube - Oh this brings me to another topic...

I wholeheartedly believe that I've gotten sick from being on the tube. In fact, I'm so sure of it that I've banned the tube all together for the next few weeks. I've purchased hand sanitizer, hand soap and vitamin C to undo what was done to me on that horrid piece of machinery. The tube has been on and off strike - usually over the weekend - so the bus is the next option. It's not so bad either. I know where I'm going, and I usually drive straight through Soho, which is very entertaining but also frustrating for a young, poor college graduate.

Yesterday I had my first presentation at the Rotary of Barkingside. I've met them before, but in honor of the President, here's a picture.



The presentation went well and I don't think I bored the audience too much - I always try to use pictures instead of words on a screen. I'll be headed with them to Eastbourne in a few weeks, so I'm looking forward to getting to know each of the members individually.

On the school side, I have yet to meet an American taking my International Relations course. It's good and bad. Good because I get to know so so SO many different people with different cultures. On the bad side, it's quite easy to get put into a box of the rest of Americans (they assume you know nothing outside of the U.S.) whenever I have something to say. I was expecting this, especially in the field of International Relations. But what I've also come to find out, is that alot of students my age know more about their own country than the rest of the world. Part of this is natural, however, but it sorta makes me feel good. Most of the time, I'm familiar with a few of the events that have taken place outside the States.

Secondly, I've gotten to know the girls on my hall very well. We've nicknamed our kitchen the "Fairy" kitchen because when we first moved in, everyone bought the cheapest dish soap called "Fairy." We've decided to have a dinner every Wednesday night. A few people will volunteer to make something very small, but enough for everyone to try. It's a great way for us to stay connected and know that we're all living together in one hall, so we might as well get to know each other. Ironically, there are girls representing the following countries: Japan, Germany, Italy, France, India, Nigeria, Rwanda and Iran.

I'll have to get pictures up soon...